Snowmobile engine mount

ABSTRACT

An engine mount for a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, that can be used when space for the engine within a chassis is limited and which is easily accessed from the side of the chassis for assembly and repair. The engine mount can be attached to the bottom of an engine that is positioned within a chassis. The engine mount can include four hollow, cylindrical portions. Each cylindrical portion having an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the snowmobile chassis and receiving a damping mount. Fasteners can be inserted through the chassis to couple with the damping mounts and cylindrical portions in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the chassis. The configuration of the damping mounts permits effective damping especially in a direction transverse to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 60/245,675, filed Nov. 6, 2000, the contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference. This application is alsorelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/472,134 for a SNOWMOBILE,filed Dec. 23, 1999; to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/167,614 fora SNOWMOBILE, filed Nov. 26, 1999; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.60/230,432 for a A NOVEL THREE WHEEL VEHICLE, filed Sep. 6, 2000, thecontents of each being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to supporting elementswithin a vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a supportfor a vehicle engine.

[0004] 2. Background of the Invention

[0005] Typically, a snowmobile is powered by a two-stroke engine, whichcan cause large amounts of vibration. In order to decrease the amount ofvibration from the engine to the chassis, typically, such engines weresupported by an engine mount attached to the bottom of the engine in away that enabled bolts with position-adjustable dampers to be placedbetween the engine mount and the chassis. However, such conventionalengine mounts required relatively large amounts of space within thechassis for the engine and to provide the space needed to position theadjustable dampers. Also, conventional engine mounts require more spacein the chassis at the front and rear of the engine. Further, previousengine mount dampers were designed to work most effectively againstmovement of the engine in the direction of movement of the vehicle andin the direction of the height of the vehicle, which in some situationsis not the preferred direction for accommodating and damping forces suchmovements generate.

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a new engine mount that canbe used in a vehicle, such as a snowmobile, where the chassis has lessavailable space for both the engine and for such an new engine mount.There is also a need for an engine mount that can be more easilyassembled and accessed during production and repair activities and thatcan effectively reduce movement in a direction lateral to the directionof travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide an improved engine mountfor a vehicle.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a snowmobile havingan engine mount that can be used when space is limited within a chassisfor the engine and engine mount.

[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improvedresilient, damping mount for an engine.

[0010] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an enginemount for a vehicle that can be installed and access from the sides ofthe vehicle to simplify production on an assembly line.

[0011] These and other objects of the invention may be accomplished byproviding a base plate for securing an engine to a chassis. The baseplate can include a body portion for securing to the bottom of theengine and at least a pair of cylinders extending from the body portion.The cylinders can receive fasteners and damping members for securing theengine to the chassis in a secure, damped manner.

[0012] These and other objects of the invention may be furtheraccomplished by providing a mounting element for mounting an engine to achassis. The mounting element can include a threaded socket having afirst flange, a shoulder washer having a second flange and a resilientmaterial positioned between and coupled to the first and second flangesto provide a resilient connection between the chassis and the engine.

[0013] These and other objects of the invention may be furtheraccomplished by providing a vehicle having a chassis and an enginesecured to the chassis by an engine mount. The engine mount can have abase plate for securing an engine to a chassis. The base plate caninclude a body portion secured to the bottom of the engine and cylindersextending from the body portion. The cylinders can receive fasteners anddamping members for securing the engine to the chassis in a secure,damped manner. The damping members can include a threaded socket havinga first flange, a shoulder washer having a second flange and a resilientmaterial positioned between and coupled to the first and second flangesto provide a resilient connection between the chassis and the engine.

[0014] These and other objects of the invention may be furtheraccomplished by providing a method of assembling a vehicle that includessecuring the base plate to the engine, positioning the engine and theattached base plate within in opening in the top of the chassis, andinserting a fastener through the side of the chassis and into thethreaded socket of the damping member.

[0015] Other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the follow detaileddescription which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention is further described in the detaileddescription which follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way ofnon-limiting exemplary embodiments, in which like reference numeralsrepresent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings,and wherein:

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of an engine mount inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention attached to an engine anda chassis of a snowmobile;

[0018]FIG. 2 illustrates a front/left/top exploded, perspective view ofthe engine mount and engine of FIG. 1.;

[0019]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the engine mount of FIG. 1secured to the chassis;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the engine mount and the chassistaken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 illustrates a left side, top, rear perspective view of thechassis of the snowmobile of FIGS. 1-4;

[0022]FIG. 6 shows the exterior of the left and interior of the rightside of the chassis of FIG. 5 and its engine receiving area;

[0023]FIG. 7 shows a front, top view of the chassis of FIG. 5 and itsengine receiving area;

[0024]FIG. 8 shows the interior of the left side of the chassis of FIG.5 and its engine receiving area;

[0025]FIG. 9 shows a top view of the engine mount of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 9(a) shows a top view of another exemplary engine mountaccording to the invention;

[0027]FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the engine mount of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 10(a) shows a bottom view of the engine mount of FIG. 9(a);

[0029]FIG. 11 shows a rubber mount in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0030]FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the rubber mountshown in FIG. 11 along line 12-12, which is similar to the cross-sectionof the rubber mount illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0031]FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shoulder washer ofthe rubber mount of FIG. 12 taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

[0032]FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a threaded socket ofthe rubber mount of FIG. 12 taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11; and

[0033]FIG. 15 illustrates a front view the threaded socket of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0034] As seen in FIGS. 1-4, a portion of a vehicle 10, such as asnowmobile, is illustrated, including a section of a chassis 12, anengine 14, and an engine mount 16 coupling the engine 14 to the chassis12. The engine mount 16 both secures the engine 14 to the chassis 12 anddamps vibration generated by the engine 14. The goal is to have theamount of vibration transferred from the engine 14 to the chassis 12reduced to acceptable levels. The engine mount can include a base plate20 and damping mounts 22.

[0035] Although engine mount 16 is described herein with respect to asnowmobile, it should be understood that engine mount 16 can be usedwith other vehicles where engines are mounted, as well as withnon-vehicle equipment having an engine. Also, although engine mount 16is described as supporting an engine, the engine mount 16 can be used tosupport other devices other than engines, especially if there exists aneed to reduce vibration between the supported part and another partconnected thereto.

[0036] As seen in FIGS. 5-8, the snowmobile chassis 12 can include atunnel 30 and an engine cradle 34. The chassis also can include apyramid-shaped upper support structure or “superframe” 32 positioned ontop of the tunnel 30 and the engine cradle 34. The tunnel 30, enginecradle 34, and superframe 32 are described in more detail in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 60/230,432. The forward portion 31 of the chassiscan include the engine cradle 34, into which engine 14 can be positionedand supported. The chassis 12 can have a longitudinal (X-) axis 52oriented to extend in the direction of forward and rearward travel ofthe snowmobile 10 and a transverse (Y-) axis 54 oriented to extendsubstantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 52 and transverseto the direction of forward and rearward travel of the snowmobile 10.

[0037] The engine cradle 34 or apron can be of any appropriateconstruction and can include an inclined front wall 36, an inclined rearwall 38, and a floor 40 extending between front and rear walls 36 and38. The engine cradle 34 can be enclosed on the left side by exteriorsupport wall 42 and on the right side by interior support wall 44.Exterior support wall 42 can form part of the exterior side of thechassis and can include reinforcing panels for increased strength, ifnecessary. Interior support wall 44 can extend within engine cradle 34and between and rigidly attached to inclined front and rear walls 36 and38, respectively. Exterior support wall 42 can have front and rear holes46 and 47, respectively, extending therethrough. Likewise, interiorsupport wall 44 can have front and rear holes 48 and 49, respectively,extending therethrough. Holes 46-49 can receive fasteners, such as bolts160, that extend through the support walls 42 and 44 and into the enginemount 16 for attaching the engine mount 16 to the chassis 12.

[0038] Engine 14 can be any of a variety of engine types. For example,engine 14 can be a two-stroke engine, such as those used for poweringsome snowmobiles or it can be a larger, more powerful engine for othervehicles. The illustrated engine 14 has a top 70, a bottom 72, a front74, a rear 76, and a crankshaft 77. Engine 14 can also have fasteners 78extending down from the bottom 72 for attachment with the engine mount16, as discussed below. For example, fasteners 78 can be threaded boltsor similar fasteners that protrude from the bottom of the engine 14,pass through the engine mount 16, and are fastened to the base plate 20by securing fasteners, such as threaded nuts 80. Of course, the engine14 can be adapted to receive fasteners as a female part rather than as amale part, as illustrated, or other forms of fasteners can also be used.

[0039] Engine 14, for example, can be oriented along the transverse axis54. That is, the crankshaft 77 can be substantially parallel to thetransverse axis 54. The crankshaft 77 can be coupled to the driven shaft82 that drives the track 84 beneath the chassis 12, as described in thecommonly assigned applications mentioned above, which are incorporatedby reference, along with the commonly assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 60/236,739 for IN-LINE FOUR STROKE SNOWMOBILES, filed Oct. 2,2000, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Theconnection between crankshaft 77 and driven shaft 82 can, for example,be made by a driving pulley 86, a transmission, and a driven pulley 88by a belt 90. The belt can be oriented substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis 52.

[0040] As seen in FIGS. 1-4, 9 and 10, base plate 20 has a middle orbody portion 100, having a top 112 and a bottom 114, that has fourhollow portions 101, 102, 103 and 104 provided at the corners of themiddle 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 9 and 10 the hollow portions 101,102, 103 and 104 are cylinders. It should be appreciated, however, thatthe hollow portions may be formed in other shapes, such as polygonal orcombinations of linear and curvilinear sides. The hollow portions 101,102, 103 and 104 are formed as cylinders as the engine mount is extrudedin a preferred embodiment and the cylindrical shape is more easilyextruded than, for example, polygonal shapes. It should also beappreciated that hollow portions 101 and 102 may be formed as a singlehollow portion and hollow portions 103 and 104 may be formed as a singlehollow portion. The preferred embodiment of the present inventionprovides two sets of coaxial hollow portions 101, 102 and 103, 104 toeliminate the material between the hollow portions and reduce weight.

[0041] Cylinders 101 and 102 have a common axis 106 that issubstantially parallel to the transverse axis 54. Cylinders 103 and 104can have a common axis 108 that is likewise substantially parallel tothe transverse axis 54 but spaced from axis 106 and on the opposite sideof transverse axis 54 from axis 106. Base plate 20 can be and preferablyis a unitary, one-piece integrally formed element made from anyappropriate material. For example, base plate 20 can be formed fromaluminum, steel, reinforced plastic material, other manmade materials,other metals, or combinations thereof. Also, base plate 20 can be formedfrom a plurality of structural elements that are appropriatelyconnected, such as by welding. The engine mount 16 can made from variousmaterials and processes including an aluminum extrusion forming aunitary element or welded from multiple parts made from other metals,including, for example, steel.

[0042] The middle portion 100 can be shaped to conform to the bottomdesign of engine 14 and can take any shape that permits the top surfaceof base plate 20 to adequately attach to the element being supported,such as engine 14 or another element such as an intermediate memberbetween engine 14 and base plate 20. The attachment between base plate20 and engine 14 can take a variety of forms, including threaded boltdepending from below the engine 14. Bolts 78 can extend throughassociated openings 110 provided in base plate 20. Openings 110 havebeen sized to permit fasteners 78 to extend completely therethrough andbe secured by nuts on the bottom side 114 of base plate 100. Otherfastening techniques, including bolts passing upwardly through baseplate 20 and into threaded holes in the engine block, could also beused.

[0043] As would be known to one skilled in the art, hollow portions 101,102, 103 and 104 could be separated such as shown in FIG. 9(a). FIG.9(a) illustrates hollow portions 101 and 103 attached to a separatemiddle portion 113 and hollow portions 102 and 104 attached to anothermiddle portion 115. It would be appreciated also that hollow portion 101and 102 could be placed on a separate middle portion than 103 and 104 aswell as having all four hollow portions 101,102,103 and 104 eachindividually separated with it own separate base portion.

[0044] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 11-15, each damping mount 22 caninclude a threaded socket 130, a shoulder washer 132, and a resilientmember 134 positioned therebetween. Although the mounting and connectionarrangement of each cylinder 101-104 does not necessarily have to beidentical to the other, base plate 20 is described herein as having foursubstantially identical damping mounts, with one damping mount 22attached to each cylinder 101-104. Consequently, only one will bedescribed in detail.

[0045] Threaded socket 130 has a flange 150 and an axial extension 152that are construction as an integral, single element. Of course, socket130 can be formed from multiple elements. Socket 130 can be formed frommetallic material such as steel, aluminum, reinforced plastic material,other manmade materials, other metals, or combinations thereof. Flange150 is preferably annular and has a substantial front surface area 154that, in use, faces the adjacent support wall 42 or 44. The surface area154 can be knurled on the face that contacts the adjacent support wall42 or 44 to prohibit rotation when attached. The axial extension 152 canbe substantially cylindrical with a threaded inner surface 156 capableof being mated with a threaded fastener 160, as shown in FIG. 4, forsecuring the damping mount 22 to the chassis 12. The extension 152 alsocan be sufficiently long and narrow to extend within shoulder washer132.

[0046] Shoulder washer 132 has a flange 170 and an extension 172 andthey are preferably made as a single element. Of course, shoulder washer132 can be formed from multiple elements. Washer 132 can be formed ofmetallic material such as steel, aluminum, reinforced plastic material,other manmade materials, other metals, or combinations thereof. Flange170 is preferably annular and shaped to fit against an end of onecylinder 101-104 and can be substantially parallel to flange 150.Extension 172 can be substantially cylindrical with an inner surface 173that has a larger diameter that the outer diameter of extension 152. Theouter surface can have an annular shoulder 174 for mating with one ofthe inner surfaces 116 of cylinders 101-104. The shoulder 174 can havean annular surface and be sized to be press fit within any of cylinders101-104. The shoulder 174 engages the inner surface 116 in a pressfitting relationship to prevent the shoulder washer 132 from rotatingrelative to and moving axially relative to the cylinder (hollow portion)in which the shoulder washer 132 is inserted. The shoulder 174 may alsohave a knurled surface to increase the resistance of the shoulder washer132 to rotation and axial movement.

[0047] Resilient member 134 can be formed of rubber or other resilientmaterial capable of appropriately damping vibrations emanating fromengine 14 and transmitted via plate 20. The resilient member 134 canextend between and is preferably attached to flanges 150 and 170.However, it is only essential that there be a firm or snug fit betweenthreaded socket 130, shoulder washer 132, and resilient member 134. Theamount of material and the type of material forming member 134 can beselected to achieve desired damping characteristics. For example, themember 134 can have a main section 190 located between flanges 150 and170, an inner section 192, lying adjacent the exterior surface ofextension 152 and an outer section 194 lying adjacent the inner surfaceof extension 172. A gap or hollow space 196 is defined between sections192 and 194 and can be open to the atmosphere in the direction away fromflanges 150 and 170. Gap 196 is preferably left open to the atmosphere,but could be filled with an resilient material, if doing so satisfiedparticular damping requirements of the resilient member 134. This gap196 can permit additional, less-damped movement in all directions exceptalong the transverse axis 54. For example, the gap can have a width 197on each side of extension 152 corresponding to the desired permittedmovement of the engine 14 along the longitudinal axis 52. This width 197may be any dimension but can be in the range of approximately 1.80 mm to3.50 mm, or preferably about 2.10 mm. Thus, such a width 197 wouldpermit a range of movement of the cylinders 101-104 relative to thedamping mount 22 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 52 of thesnowmobile or in any direction in the X-Z plane. The thickness andstructural features of the resilient member 134 will determine how muchof the vibrations will be damped. The resilient member 134 can be bondedto both parts and it can be assembled as one part on the assembly line.One range of the hardness of a rubber resilient member 134 can bebetween 60-80 shore A durometer. An example of the rubber material thatcan be used within resilient member 134 is black polyurethane, ASTMD2000 M2BG, G21, EF21, F17, Z1, Z2, Z3 or ASTM D2000 M2AA, 817, A13,B33, F17.

[0048] Each cylinder 101-104 has two ends where the damping mounts 22can be placed. The damping mounts 22 can then be sandwiched between oneof the cylinders exterior end and the exterior chassis wall 42 or theinterior support wall 44. A fastener such as a bolt 160 is then passedthrough the support wall 42 or 44 of the chassis 12 and then screwedinto the threaded extension 152 of its respective damping mount 22.Thus, the illustrated embodiment will use four bolts 160.

[0049] The illustrated embodiment of the invention facilitates themounting of the engine 14 onto the chassis 12 during production in thaton the assembly line, workers are standing on each side of thesnowmobile 10. If the workers had to attach the engine mount 16 to thechassis 12 from above the engine mount 16, it would be cumbersome. Withthe illustrated engine mount 16, the bolts 160 used to fasten the enginemount 16 to the chassis 12 are inserted laterally, substantiallyparallel to the transverse axis 54 making it an easy task to install theengine 14 with the engine mount 16 attached thereto. The engine mount 16can be assembled to the bottom of the engine 14 in a sub-assemblyproduction line.

[0050] Ideally with engine mount 16, 100% of the vibrations can beabsorbed and at the same time, have a non-adjustable engine mount 16that would keep the pulleys 86 and 88 in perfect alignment. In otherwords, in order to achieve the best alignment of the engine 14 withrespect to the chassis 12, a rigid attachment between the engine 14 andthe chassis 12 is desired. One important aspect of the alignment of theengine 14 is the life of the drive belt 90. The life of the drive belt90 can be effected by the alignment of the engine 14 with respect to thechassis 12. If the engine 14 moves laterally, that is, along thetransverse (Y-) axis 54, or rotates around the height (Z-) axis, thenthe transmission that can be attached to the engine14 and the drivenpulley 88, which may be fixed the chassis 12, will become misaligned.Such misalignment may reduce the belt life.

[0051] To obtain a certain comfort level for the driver and maintain thebest alignment between the driving pulley 86 and the driven pulley 88,engine 14 must be equipped with dampers that achieve both good vibrationdamping yet also maintain good alignment. The engine base plate 20 anddamping mounts 22 cooperate to ensure that desired amounts of vibrationfrom the engine can be absorbed and at the same time suitably limit themovement of the engine 14 and maintain the desired amount of alignmentof engine 14.

[0052] The one damping mount 22 can be placed at each end of thecylinders 101-104 so that any movement of the engine along thelongitudinal (X-) axis 52, the height (Z-) axis, or in the X-Z plane,places the resilient member 134 in a shear force situation. Suchlongitudinal (X-) axis, Z-axis 55, or X-Z plane movement of the engine14 along the longitudinal axis 52 is not as significant a concern sincethe pulleys 86 and 88 will adjust to this change and such movement willnot affect the life of the belt 90 as movement along the transverse axis54. Any lateral movement along the transverse (Y-) axis 54 or rotationaround the Z-axis 55 will result in the resilient members 134 undergoingcompression or tension. The alignment of the pulleys 86, 88 is veryimportant in considering the life of the belt 90 and the life dependsmainly on the lateral movement along the transverse axis 54 and rotationaround the Z-axis 55. Also, those movements of the engine 14 cancorrespond to the same movement of the transmission and the pulley 86.When the engine 14 experiences such movement, it is advantageous to haveresilient members 134 in compression since compression offers much moresupport than when the resilient members 134 are in a shear situation. Inthe conventional engine mounts, the rubber was partially in shear whenthe engine was subjected to a lateral force.

[0053] The thickness of the resilient member 134 along the transverseaxis 54, between flanges 150 and 170 and thus the damping ability of themember 134 can be determined through testing. An acceptable thickness ofresilient member 134 between flanges 150 and 170 can be between 8 mm and12 mm. However, any acceptable thickness range is dependent on amount ofvibration to be damped. The resilient material 134 can be bonded to thesocket 130 and the washer 132 wherever it is in contact with the matingparts 130 and 132. Such bonding enables the resilient material in member134 to work in shear as well as in tension. The axis of the dampingmount 22 and its elements will be in the lateral (y-axis) direction,parallel to the transverse axis 54 of the engine 14. Therefore, anymovement of the engine 14 along the transverse (Y-) axis 54 would putthe resilient material of the member 134 in compression or tension onthe opposite direction. Any movement in the X-Z plane, upward ordownward movement along the height (Z-) axis or forward or rearwardmovement along the longitudinal axis 52 will place the resilient member134 in shear since it is bonded to the socket 130 and the washer 132.

[0054] One aspect of the damping mount 22 is the amount of movement itwill allow in the X-Z plane through the use of gap 196. The movementallowed between the shoulder washer 132 and the threaded socket 130 bygap 196 can be very small, for example, approximately 2.10 mm. This canprovide enough movement to absorb the vibration of the engine 14 itselfbut not enough to let any outside forces, such as hard bumps from thetrail, move the engine 14 more than desired. Vibration from the engine14 could sufficiently be damped with a thickness of the resilient member134 as determined, as through testing. Any movement between the shoulderwasher 132 and the threaded socket 130 of more than the desired amount,for example, 2.20 mm will place those two parts 132, 130 in contact andthen limit additional movement.

[0055] Another advantage of the damping mount 22 is the size of themating surface area that exists between the surface 154 of flange 150and the sidewall 42 of the chassis 12. With the large flange 150 on theend of the threaded socket 130, a large contact area is formed betweenthe damping mount 22 and the side wall 42 of the chassis 12 to form amore secure and rigid connection between the parts over a large surfacearea. For example, the flange 150 can have an outermost diameter ofapproximately 36-38 mm.

[0056] While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments and elements, but, to the contrary, is intended tocover various modifications, combinations of features, equivalentarrangements, and equivalent elements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the dimensions of features ofvarious components that may appear on the drawings are not meant to belimiting, and the size of the components therein can vary from the sizethat may be portrayed in the figures herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A base plate for securing an engine to a chassis,said base plate comprising: a body portion having first and second sidesand at least one fastening element positioned between said first andsecond sides; a first hollow portion extending from said first side ofsaid body portion and having a first longitudinal axis.
 2. A base plateaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a second hollow portionextending from said second side of said body portion and having a secondlongitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to said firstlongitudinal axis.
 3. A base plate according to claim 2 in combinationwith an engine, wherein the base plate is integral with the engine.
 4. Abase plate according to claim 2, wherein said at least one fasteningelement includes a plurality of holes extending completely through saidbody portion.
 5. A base plate according to claim 2, wherein said bodyportion and said first and second hollow portions are integrally formedof aluminum as a unitary, one-piece element.
 6. A base plate accordingto claim 2, further comprising: a third hollow portion extending fromsaid first side of said body portion and extending along said firstlongitudinal axis; and a fourth hollow portion extending from saidsecond side of said body portion and extending along said secondlongitudinal axis.
 7. A base plate according to claim 6, wherein saidbody portion and said hollow portions are integrally formed of aluminumas a unitary, one-piece element.
 8. A base plate according to claim 7,wherein the hollow portions are cylindrical.
 9. A mounting element foran engine, comprising: an outer member having a first flange and a firstextension; an inner member having a second flange and a secondextension; and a resilient material coupled between said inner and outermembers.
 10. A mounting element according to claim 9, wherein said firstextension includes a fastener receiving member.
 11. A mounting elementaccording to claim 10, wherein said fastener receiving member is athreaded opening.
 12. A mounting element according to claim 9, whereinsaid second extension includes a shoulder for contacting a portion of anengine base plate.
 13. A mounting element according to claim 9, whereinsaid resilient material is attached to said first and second flanges.14. A mounting element according to claim 9, wherein said resilientmaterial is attached to said first and second extensions.
 15. A mountingelement according to claim 14, wherein said resilient material includesa gap between said first extension and said second extension.
 16. Amounting element according to claim 15, wherein said gap forms anannular opening extending around said first extension.
 17. A mountingelement according to claim 9 wherein first and second flanges aresubstantially parallel to each other.
 18. A mounting element accordingto claim 9, wherein said resilient material is rubber.
 19. A vehicle,comprising; a chassis having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis;an engine; a base plate securing said engine to said chassis, said baseplate including a body portion having first and second sides and atleast one fastening element positioned between said first and secondsides and fastening said base plate to said engine, said base platefurther including a first attaching portion and a second attachingportion; a first mounting element coupling said chassis to said baseplate, said first mounting element having a first resilient materialpositioned between said chassis and said first attaching portion of saidbase plate; and a second mounting element coupling said chassis to saidbase plate, said second mounting element having a second resilientmaterial positioned between said chassis and said second attachingportion of said base plate, wherein said transverse axis extendsthrough, said first attaching portion, said first mounting elementincluding said first resilient material, and said chassis.
 20. A vehicleaccording to claim 19, wherein said first attaching portion is a firsthollow portion, and said second attaching portion is a second hollowportion.
 21. The vehicle according to claim 19, wherein movement of saidengine parallel to the transverse axis places at least one of the firstresilient member and the second resilient member in compression.
 22. Avehicle according to claim 19, wherein each of said first and secondmounting elements include an inner member having a first flange and afirst extension and an outer member having a second flange and a secondextension, said first and second flanges being substantially parallel toeach other, and an area positioned between said first and second flangesfor receiving one of said first and second resilient material.
 23. Avehicle according to claim 20, wherein said body portion and said firstand second hollow portions of said base plate are integrally formed ofaluminum as a unitary, one-piece element.
 24. A vehicle according toclaim 23, wherein said first and second hollow portions are cylindrical.25. A method of assembling a vehicle, including providing a chassishaving a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a top, a bottom, and aside; providing an engine; providing a base plate including a firstattaching portion; fastening the engine to the base plate; positioningthe engine and the base plate within an upwardly opening recess in thechassis; and inserting a fastener through the side of the chassis andinto the first attaching portion of the base plate in a direction thatis substantially parallel to the transverse axis.
 26. A method accordingto claim 25, wherein securing of the engine to the base plate occursprior to the positioning of the engine within the upwardly openingrecess in the chassis.
 27. A method according to claim 26, wherein thestep of inserting a fastener through the side of the chassis and intothe first attaching portion of the base plate in a direction that issubstantially parallel to the transverse axis further comprisesinserting a resilient mounting element within the first attachingportion.
 28. A method according to claim 27, wherein movement of theengine parallel to the transverse axis places the resilient member incompression.